Novelty



Feb. 21, 1939. c. L UD 2,148,290

NOVELTY Filed June 19, 1956 2 Sheets- Shack 1 ATTORNEY.

Feb.2l, 1939. c. CLOUD 2,148,290

NOVELTY I Filed June 19, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .1 devices.

Patented Feb. 21, 1939 PATENT OFFICE NOVELTY Claude Carey Cloud, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 19,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to novelties and the like of the kind made from stiff paper, cardboard and similar materials and which are useful as toys, advertising contrivances and displays and kindred The primary object is to form threedimensional novelties and the like of predetermined configurations from suitable blanks and to retain the novelties and the like in their predetermined configurations by interfitting selected parts thereof.

Another important object is to equip the novelties or the like with relatively movable parts that may be grasped to support the novelties or the like and which may be moved relatively to impart movement to the novelties or the like and thereby increase the attractiveness and enhance the entertainment properties thereof.

Still further objects are to produce the blank from which a novelty or the like is formed from a single piece of material and to provide fold lines thereon along which the blank may be folded to provide a novelty or the like of predetermined configuration; to pass selected parts of the novelties or the like through other parts thereof and thereby retain the novelties or the like in their predetermined configuration; to include foregrounds and backgrounds in the novelties and thereby enhance the attractiveness and increase the entertainment properties thereof; and to provide economical novelties or the like which may be expeditiously assembled and which may be operated in a simple manner.

Selected embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a novelty embody-. ing my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the blank from which the novelty shown in Fig. 1 is formed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the novelty shown in Fig. 1, partly assembled;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another novelty embodying my invention; 7

Fig. 5 is a planof the blank from which the novelty shown in Fig. 4 is formed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of still another novelty embodying my invention;

Fig. '7 is a plan of the blank from which the novelty shown in Fig. 6 is formed;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the novelty shown in. Fig. 6, partly assembled;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of still another novelty embodying my invention and which includes a foreground and a background;

65,- Fig. 10 is a plan of the blank from which the 1936, Serial No. 86,134

foreground of the novelty shown in Fig. 9 is formed;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the blank from which the background shown in Fig. 9 is formed;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of still another novelty embodying the invention and which includes a foreground and a background;

Fig. 13 is a plan of the blank from which the background of the novelty shown in Fig. 12 is formed;

Fig. 14 is a plan of the blank from which the foreground shown in Fig. 12 is. formed; and

Fig. 15 is a perspective View of the blank shown in Fig. 14, partly assembled.

Novelties of the kind to which my invention pertains are usually made of paper, cardboard or other light inexpensive sheet material, such as, for example, light sheet metal, and the blank for each of the illustrated forms of the invention is cut from stiff paper or light cardboard. Also the outlines of the novelties are die cut or otherwise formed on the blanks and score lines are provided therein along which the blanks are folded. Such folding in connection with the formation of the outlines causes the blanks when folded to provide novelties of predetermined configurations.

Furthermore, interlockable parts are provided so that when a blank has been folded into its predetermined configuration these parts may be interlocked whereby the novelty will be retained in its predetermined configuration.

More specifically and particularly referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings a novelty simulating an elephant is depicted. This novelty is made from the blank shown in Fig. 2 which is divided into side parts and 2|. The outlines of these parts of the blank are shaped to conform to the sides of the elephant to be simulated. The two side parts are interconnected at the front, that is to say, at the forward edges of the head portions 2011 and HE of the parts 253 and 2|, respectively, along a fold line 22* and at the outer ends of the trunk providing parts MT and HT along a fold line 23. The fold lines 22 and 23 are provided by scoring or otherwise arranging the blanks for folding at these places.

The back of the simulated elephant is provided by a part 24 which in the present instance is connected to the left side part 20 at the upper edge thereof along a fold line 25 scored or oherwise provided in the blank. The ears 24L and 24B. for the elephant are provided on the part 24 near the front end 24F thereof, said front end being tapered so as to be relatively narrow at the free end thereof for a purpose to be explained.

The blank shown in Fig. 2 is folded along the fold lines 22 and 23 by moving the faces of the parts 20 and 2| opposite those appearing in Fig. 2 toward each other to thereby dispose said parts 20 and 2| in angular relation one with the other, the parts 20 and 2| converging along their front ends but having the rear ends thereof spaced apart. This spacing and the shape of the part 24 is such that said part will neatly fit between said spaced parts 20 and 2|. The front end 24F of the part 24 is so tapered that it fits between the parts 20 and 2| near their point of convergence.

The part 24, as stated, is connected to the part 20 and in order to support the part 24 in the same relation relative to the part 2| as the relation in which it will be maintained with thepart 20, a flap 26 is joined to the upper edge ofv the part 2| along a fold line 21 and this flap is folded downwardly as the blank appears in Fig. 2 so as to be disposed below the part- 24 in the assembled novelty and thereby provide a support for said part.

As stated, novelties made in accordance with my invention are adapted to be retained in their predetermined configuration and this is done by interlocking certain parts of the novelties to other parts thereof. In the present instance this interlocking is accomplished by providing slots 20S and 2|S in the parts 2|! and 2|. These slots extend inwardly from the upper edges of said parts and are located at the juncture of the head portions 201-1 and 2|H with the body portions of said parts. Other slots 20X and 2 IX are provided in the parts 20 and 2| at the upper end of the rear leg and these slots extendinwardly from the rear edges of said parts 20 and 2|.

When the parts 20 and 2| are disposed in the angular relation above described and the part 24 is disposedabove the fiap 26 and intermediate said parts 20 and 2|, the ears 24L and 24R are passed into the slots 2|S and 20S, respectively. Furthermore, tabs 24Y and24Z provided at the rear end of the part 24 are passed into the slots 21X and, 20X, respectively, whereby the part 24 smoothly extends down to the rear leg providing portions of the parts 20 and 2| on an are conforming to the adjacent outline of said parts 20 and 2|.

In the present instance a triangular tab 243 is struck from the part 24 near the rear end thereof. When the tabsv 24Y and 24Z are inserted into the slots 20X and 2|X as described, the tab 24B extends tangentially from the arced part 24 .and thus projects downwardly and thereby the tab 24B simulates the tail of the elephant.

The novelty shown in Fig. 4, simulating a rabbit, is made from the blank shown in Fig. 5. This blank has score lines 30 and 3| or the like provided therein which divide the blank into a right side part 32, a left side part 33 and an intermediate or back part 34. The score line 39 is disposed at the highest portion along the top edge of the part 32 between said part 32 and the intermediate part 34. The score line 3| is similarly located between the parts 33 and 34.

A score line 35 extends across the rear portion of the part 34 and definesa tail portion 34T at the rear end of said part. Ears 34L and 34B are provided at the front end of the intermediate part 34, which intermediate part is considerably narrowed, as indicated at 34H, at its front end and the ears 34L and 34R extend in parallel but spaced relation with the narrow part 34H in the lank.

In assembling the blank shown in Fig. 5 into the novelty shown in Fig. 4 the faces of the parts 32 and 33 opposite those shown in Fig. 5 are moved downwardly, said parts being folded relative to the part 34 along the fold lines 30 and 3|, and when the parts 32 and 33 are in right angular relationship with the part 34, that is to say, when these parts are in parallel relation with each other, the ear 34B is passed through a slot 328 provided in the head portion 32H of the part 32,:and the ear- 34L is passed through a slot 33S in the head portion 33H of the part 33.

. Preferably the head portions 32H and 33H are slid along the ears 34R and 34L until the forward :ends thereof converge and the part 34H is shaped to fit between the head portions 32H and 33H 4 when so converged. The ears 34R and 34L snugly fit in the s1ots.32S and 33S and therefore the novelty shown in Fig. 4 is retained in its assembled configuration.

The attractiveness andentertainment, properties of the novelties shown in Figs. 1 and 4 may be enhanced by arranging them for movement. This may be accomplished by providing relatively movable parts on the novelties that may be grasped to support the novelties and then when such parts are grasped andmoved relative- 1y a rocking movement may be imparted to the novelties.

Thus a substantially wedge-shaped part 28 is provided along .the lower side of the part 20 with the narrowest edge thereof disposed in spaced relation with the outline of the lower edges of the leg parts on said part 20. Parts 29 and 29' are connected to the part 28 .along fold lines 28F and.28L which form the sides of that portion of the part 28 which projects beyond the edges of the leg parts on the part 20. The part 29 is separated from the rear leg part on the part 20 by a slot29S and the part 29' is separated from the front leg part on the part 2|) by a slot 288.

When the novelty is to be assembled into the form shown inFig. 1, the part 2| extends initially in the plane of the part20 and the faces of the parts 29 and 29' opposite those appearing in Fig. 2 are folded toward each other along the fold lines 28F and 28L so as to dispose the parts 29 and 29' in side by side relation. Then these parts may be grasped between the thumb and first two fingers of the hand, as shown in Fig. l, and when the thumb and fingers are moved relatively the parts 29 and 29 slide one on the other whereby one is raised and the other is lowered. Thus since the parts 29 and- 29' extend transversely to the extent of the novelty shown 'in Fig. 1, this novelty is caused to rock and such rocking increases the attractiveness and entertainment properties of the novelty.

A part 36 similar to the part 28 is provided on the part 32, as shown in Fig; 5, and parts 31 and 38 similar to the parts 29and-29-are connected thereto along fold lines 31F and38F. When the blank shown :in Fig. 5 is folded into the novelty shown in Fig. 4, the parts. 31 and 38 are disposed to extend transversely of the extent of the novelty, and when these parts. are grasped between the thumb and: first two fingers of the hand they may be'moved relatively whereby the rabbit simulated. in Fig. 4 may be cause .toappear to be leaping and therefore the attractiveness and entertainment properties of the novelty are increased.

The novelty shown in Fig. 6 simulates adog and is made from the blankshown in Fig. 7

which includes an elongated intermediate part 4|] having a body providing part 4| at one end thereof and a head providing part 42 at the other end thereof. Parts 43R and 43L are provided between the intermediate part 40 and the head part 42, and these parts extend beyond the side edges of the parts 40 and 42. The outlines of the parts 4|, 42 and 43R and 43L are such that the part 4| simulates the body of a dog, the part 42 the head with projecting ears and the parts 43R and 43L the bows of a ribbon about the dogs neck. The part 42 is connected to the parts 43R and 43L along a fold line 42F so that the part 42 may be disposed in angular relation with the parts 43R and 43L when the blank shown in Fig. 7 is assembled into the novelty shown in Fig. 6.

A fold line 4|F extends across the part 4| in alignment with one side edge of the part 40 and another fold line 4|L extends across said part 4| in alignment with the other side edge of the part 40. A fold line 40F extends between the juncture of the fold lines 4|F and ML with the side edges of the part 40. Another fold line 40A extends in parallel relationship with the fold line 40F and a tab 44 is connected to the part 4| along this fold line, said tab 44 projecting beyond the part 4| in alignment with thepart 40.

In assembling the blank shown in Fig. '7 into the novelty shown in Fig. 6 the part 4|L on the part 4| disposed outwardly of the fold line 4|F is folded along said fold line ME by moving the face thereof opposite that shown in Fig. 7 downwardly. Similarly the part MB. is folded along the fold line 4|A whereby the parts MR and 4|L are disposed in parallel relation.

A tab 45 projects from the forward edge of the part 4|L and a tab 46 projects from the forward end of the part MR. A slit 453 is provided in one edge of the tab 45 and a slit 468 is provided in a corresponding edge of the tab 46. When the parts MR and 4|L have been folded into parallel relation with each other they extend at right angles to the part 4|M. bounded by the fold lines 40A, 4|A, 40F and MR The tab 46 is then folded along the fold line 46F along which it is interconnected to the part MB to project toward the part 4|L and the tab 45 is folded along. the fold line 45F to project toward the part 4|R. When the tabs 45 and 46 are so folded toward each other the slits 45S and 468 are interfitted whereby the parts 4|L and MR are retained in their parallel relation.

By referring to the blank shown in Fig. 7 it will be noted that the outwardly disposed edges 40R, and 45L of the parts MR and 4|L extend in angular relation with respect to the sides of the part 40. When the blank shown in Fig. '7 is folded into the novelty shown in Fig. 6, these edges 40R. and ML are rested on a horizontal surface to support the novelty. Then the part 4|M extends at an acute angle relative to the horizontal surface on which the edges 40R and 45L are rested.

A slot 418 which includes parallel portions that project inwardly'frorn the line 45F and a portion interconnecting the inner ends of the parallel portions defines a tab 41 in the part 40 and when the parts MR and 4|L are disposed in the aforesaid parallel relation the tab 41 projects in the plane of the part MM and provides the tail of the dog. The tab 44 likewise projects in the plane of the tab 4|M. Projection of the tab 41 in the plane of the part 4|M during assembly is effected by folding the part 40 along the fold line 40F to move the face thereof opposite that shown in Fig. 7 toward the corresponding face of the part 4 M, Fig. 8 showing the parts in this intermediate position. Then the part 40 is bowed and disposed between the parts MR and 4|L to arrange the parts 43R and 43L in front of the interlocked tabs 46 and 45. The parts 43R and 43L will extend substantially at right angles to the part 4|M at this time and the head providing part 42 is then folded along the fold line 42F to extend vertically when the edges 40R and 40L are rested on a horizontal surface.

When the part 42 is folded into this vertical position, the tab 48, extending into the part 48 from the fold line 42F and defined by the slot 483, projects in the plane of the part 42 and. may

therefore be extended through the slot 49 in the tab 44, which-tab '44 is bent downwardly to extend at right angles to the part MM behind the parts 43R and 43L. The insertion of the tab 48 into the slot 49 looks the part 46 into position between the parts 4 IR and 4|L and therefore the novelty shown in Fig. 6 is locked in assembled condition.

Relatively movable parts may be provided on the novelty shown in Fig. 6 in the same manner as these parts are provided on the novelties shown in Figs. 1 and 4 although said novelty, like those shown in Figs. 1 and 4, may be made without said parts as illustrated. If such relatively movable parts are to be provided, the part corresponding to the part 28 will be connected either along the edge 46R or the edge 48L.

The faces of the blanks shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7 provide the outer sides of the novelties shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6 and in order to increase the attractiveness of the novelties and to afiord a better representation of the article simulated these faces of the blanks, that is, those faces shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 7, are drawn, painted, printed or otherwise arranged to have representations of whatever the novelty is simulated thereon. Thus, for example, the eyes are drawn, painted, printed or otherwise provided on the blanks and likewise suitable coloring is applied thereto to increase the simulation as well as lines representing joints and the like.

Thus far I have described one-piece novelties which, as stated, may be provided with relatively movable parts that may be grasped to support the novelties. In the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 12 two-piece novelties are illustrated, each of which consists of a foreground and a background, the foreground being movable relative to the background.

Thus in Fig. 9 the novelty simulates a dancer on a stage including a backdrop or the like, the stage and backdrop constituting the background of the novelty and the dancer the foreground thereof.

The blank for the background 58 is illustrated in Fig. 11 and consists of a substantially rectangular sheet of material which has a fold line 55F extended transversely thereacross near one end thereof to divide the background 55 into a back drop 50D and a stage 553. The background 5&8 is adapted to be folded along the fold line litF to dispose the stage 598 in right angular relation with the backdrop 50D. The dancers head is drawn, painted, printed or otherwise provided on the backdrop EilD near the top thereof and a slot 56A is provided in the backdrop 50D at the lower end of the representation of the dancers head.

iIThe foreground; li.is;;made .':from the blank illustratediin Fig. which" has the outline thereof arranged to represent itherbody; arms=anddegs of the. dancer. and as 'in the case of the blanks shown in. Eigs.;2'5 and 7:.appropriate; drawing; painting,

printing-orcithe like. :is; provided on .the: 1f ace of the .blank shown. in Fig. -10. .toincrease simulation; of azdancer.

.At'the'supperzpart .of: the; foreground 5! is a :part. SIN which representszthe ;neck of. a;dancer -dancer.s legstare separated. frornxeach other so that they maybe folded along the fold lines 5IF and 51Lv into substantially parallel relation with each other whereby the parts. 5IZ and MY at therlower end of the. legs are brought into side by.side relation with each other.

In assembling the foreground 5| on the backgroundrill, the tab5lT; is passed through the slot 50A so as to. dispose the tab 5lT behind the representation of the dancers head provided on :thebackdrop 50D whereby the'neck part 5|N extends. from the slot 50A. The parts 5IZ and MY. are. passed through a medially located slot 50X inthe stage 508 so that the dancers feet appear tobe resting on the stage 508.

The parts 5IZ and 5|Y are then grasped in the mannerin which the parts 29 and 29 .are shown as being grasped .in Fig. 1 :and upon movement of the parts 5IZ and. MY relative to each other longitudinally of their extent, the=body portion of the dancer moves relative touthe backdrop D whereupon the simulated dancer. appears to be dancing.

Inthe form-of the inventionshown-in Fig. 9, the dancerappears tobe'rested on. a stage but -in' the formof the invention shown in Fig. 12

the simulation of a rmonkey. appears to be suspended from a .tree. The tree is provided by the background Gil, the blank for which is illustrated in Fig. 13. This blank includes. asubstantially rectangular part 60M whichhas tabs 60A and 6013 at the lower end thereof connected thereto along foldlines 60C and 60D, respectively, which fold linesare aligned with the main extent of the side edges of the part 60M.

An intermediate part GOP is connected to the upper end-0f the part 60M along a fold line 60F. The upper part BUT of the background 60 has the outline thereof arranged to simulate a tree and this part is connected to the intermediate part along a fold line 60L.

The background is arranged for use by moving the faces of .the tabs 50A andGOB opposite those shownv in Fig. 13 towardeach other by folding these tabs along the fold linesGflC and GOD. The tabs 60A and 60B are folded into substantially right angular relationship'with the part 60M and thereby provide a support for the background 60. The face of :the part? appearing .in Fig. 13 is folded forwardly into right. angular'relationship with the part'BUM by folding'itn'along the fold line 60F whereby said part. 60? is disposed horizontally. The part GUT is then folded along the foldlineBllLtoextend-vertically and thetpart 60F thereby provides a ledge. .Spaced slots. 6 Land 62 extend transversely acrossthe. part GDP for a purpose torbe explainedpresently.

The foreground of the novelty shown in Fig. 12 is formed from (the blank 63 illustrated in Fig. 14. In the presentinstance this foreground 63 represents amonkeyshaving one arm extended upwardly. Thehand of theupwardly'extending arm is joined .toan intermediate part 64 which has side parts 65and 66 joined thereto along fold lines 65F.and=66F. :A-part 61' is connected to the part 65'alonga' fold :line 61F and a part 68 is joined to the partiifi along a fold line 68F. As best shown-in-Fig;v 14, the part G'lis longer than the parts 68.

In: assembling the blank for the foreground the faces'of the side parts 65 and 66 opposite those appearing in Fig. 14 are moved toward each other by-folding theparts 65 and 66 into right angular relationship with the intermediate part 64, said parts: 65 and being folded along the fold lines 65F-and 66F.

.Theparts 65 and 66 then extend in parallel relation with each other and the face of the part 68 appearing :in-Fig. 14 is folded forwardly along the fold'line filiFand-then thepart 6'l is folded along therfoldiline BFlF to lierabove the part 68. Inasmuch as the part6! is' longer than the part 68 in an amount equal to theintermediate part (it, the ends of the parts 61 and 68 are aligned when the part6! is'folded onto thepart 68.

*Theraligned ends of the parts 61 and G8 are then passed over the face of the part 6GP appearing'in Fig; 13 and inserted into the slot 6|. These ends are "then passed out through the slot 62 and the parts fil. and SB-are slid along through these slots until Tthe'part 54 is disposed below the part SOT. ihe monkey .thenaappeai's to be suspended fro1nthepartB0T, that is, themonkey appears tobe hanging'froma tree,'the part 65M being arranged tozisimulate-the trunk of the tree.

When the-monkey is in this position and the parts-61. and 681are moved longitudinally relative to each other, the monkey is causedto swingback and forth. across the part fillM and therefore appears tozbe swinging from the simulated tree.

It will-be manifest'from the foregoing that I have provided novelties which may be used as toys, advertising :devices and the like. For example, the rabbit shown tin Figml may be used at Easter time either asa toy or as an advertising novelty. The-dancer shown in Fig. 9 may be made to represent an- Hawaiian dancer and the novelty there illustrated could then be advantageously used for adver'tisingpineapples or pineapple juice. However, especially because of the provision. of relatively movable parts on the novelties which may be grasped and which may be moved relativelyto. impart movement to the novelties, it is apparent thatall of the novelties will provide amusing and entertaining toys.

.- The novelties maybe formed from blanks which may be scored orotherwise arranged to enable folding of the novelties into predetermined configurations, and the predetermined configurations may :be I made to simulate various objects by properly-arranging the outlines of the blanks and locating the. fold lines thereon. Furthermore, eachzof thexnovelties'is provided. with interfitting partssosthat when the blanks are folded into the predetermined configurations they may be retainedinxsuch: configurations. A further very important. feature is that the blanksare printed, painted,:drawnor otherwisearranged to'increase the effectiveness of the representation and this need be done on only one face of the blanks which makes for more economical manufacture.

While I have illustrated and described selected embodiments of my invention it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the scope of the following claims.

1. A novelty including a body portion, rela-' tively movable parts disposed in side by side and engaging relation, said relatively movable parts being connected to said body portion at spaced positions whereby when said parts are grasped and moved relatively a rocking movement is imparted to said body portion.

2. A novelty including a body portion, relatively movable parts disposed in side by side and engaging relation and extended transversely of the extent of said body portion, said relatively movable parts being connected to said body portion at spaced positions whereby when said parts are grasped and moved relatively rocking movement is imparted to said body portion.

3. A novelty including a body portion including side parts, relatively movable parts connected to one of said side parts, said relatively movable parts being extended transversely of the extent of said body portion and being connected to said one side part at spaced positions whereby when said movable parts are grasped and moved relatively rocking movement is imparted to said body portion.

4. A novelty including a body portion embodying side parts, a part depending from one of said side parts, relatively movable parts having corresponding ends thereof connected to the depending part along fold lines on opposite sides of said depending part, said relatively movable parts being folded into side by side relation along said fold lines to extend transversely of. the extent of said side parts and said body portion, said body portion being rocked longitudinally of its extent when said relatively movable parts are grasped and moved relatively in the direction of the extent of said fold lines.

5. A novelty including a foreground and a background, said foreground having relatively movable parts connected to the foreground, said background having an opening therein through which said relatively movable parts are extended, said relatively movable parts being connected to said foreground at spaced positions whereby the relatively movable parts extended through said opening may be grasped and moved relatively to impart movement to said foreground relative to said background.

6. A novelty including a foreground and a background, said background'having an opening therein, a part on said foreground passed through the opening in said background whereby the foreground and background are pivotally interconnected, said background having a second opening therein, and relatively movable parts on said foreground passed through the second opening in said background, movement of said relatively movable parts relative to each other causing said foreground to pivot relative to said background.

'7. A novelty including a foreground and a background, said background including a portion having a slot therein, and relatively movable parts connected to said foreground in spaced apart relation, said relatively movable parts being passed through said slot, movement of said relatively movable parts relative to each other imparting movement to said foreground relative to said background.

CLAUDE CAREY CLOUD. 

